If you live in Stevensville, you know history is around every corner. As Montana's oldest "continuously occupied settlement", some of the stories go all the way back to the 1840s, and even before when you study the fascinating history of the Salish Tribe in the Bitterroot Valley.

What you might not realize is that old photograph, family journal, or story, or that curious artifact you found on your property could be the key to answering the many mysteries that still surround Stevensville's history.

This weekend, an anthropologist is hoping to meet you and fill in some of those missing gaps.

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New discoveries

Anthropologist Sally Thompson has been researching dozens of historical documents and recently discovered illustrated journals, some of them dating back to the mid-19th century.

While that's helped to answer some riddles, a lot of the early history if still "sketchy." That includes details of early locations of the Jesuits and St. Mary's Mission, operations at Fort Owen, native encampments, and historic homes.

Tribal members in Stevensville; UM Mansfield Library
Tribal members in Stevensville; UM Mansfield Library
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Yet, even more recent changes, like the construction of the Stevensville Cut-Off Road, or the construction of the irrigation system in the mid-Bitterroot are already being lost to history.

READ MORE: A new beginning for this historic Stevensville landmark

How you can help uncover Stevensville's history

Thompson will give a special presentation sponsored by the Friends of Fort Owen, on Saturday morning at 10 am at the Community Room of the North Valley Public Library.

She'll be presenting some of her findings, including samples of maps, photos and journals. But she also hopes people will bring their own information and be part of the "conversation." "Friends" leaders are also hoping to locate and identify "old timers", whose stories aren't a part of the historical record.

If you'd like more information about the effort, and the Friends of Fort Owen, visit their website.

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